Will Phillips

Who is Will Phillips?

Will Phillips is an American student from West Fork, Arkansas. At the age of ten, while a fifth grader at West Fork Elementary School in 2009, Phillips gained international attention for his refusal to say the Pledge of Allegiance because of social-political reasons.

Phillips objected to reciting the Pledge because he felt that, when LGBT persons cannot marry or adopt children, "there currently liberty and justice for all." Phillips' protest was at first limited to a confrontation with a substitute teacher at his small Arkansas classroom on October 5, 2009. Since that time he has garnered international attention, including featured pieces at CNN, The Huffington Post, Newsvine, and the Pink News in Europe.

His story was covered on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, where professional wrestler Mick Foley vowed to "bring a world of pain" to anyone who teases or harasses Will. Stewart awarded Foley a "Medal of Reasonableness" at the 2010 Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear for defending Phillips.

In March 2010 Phillips was awarded the GLAAD Media Award for "Outstanding TV Segment" for his appearance on CNN. In his acceptance speech he encouraged President Obama to "use the bully pulpit of the Presidency" to promote equality for all Americans. He finished his speech by wishing the crowd to "Live Long and Prosper" and giving the "Vulcan Salute" made popular by the character Spock on the TV series Star Trek.